Thursday, March 19, 2009

Spring Break, Waiting, and Serving...

I was so ready for Spring Break. Everyone has asked how school is, and honestly it really is great. Classes are good. I love everything I'm doing. The social aspect though....I would like to kick and run away from. I love all of my friends (so if you're reading this please don't be offended), but I think we can all agree that social interaction always gets old, no matter who it is. So 9 days to myself?....I was excited!

God had different plans though, and instead of leaving me at home to mope and depress myself, he blessed me beyond belief with the chance to minister to two groups of girls this week.

First, I got to help out with a Disciple Now in Bronte,TX (yeah look that place up....middle of nowhere!). I had nine sixth grade girls and we got NO sleep! We did, however, get to talk openly about things they were struggling with, hurt they were feeling, and fears they had. My heart absolutely broke for each and everyone of them. It was such a joy to share with them that even when everything in our lives seems against us, we can have hope in Christ. We're never alone. When we call His name, He is faithful to answer. He always answers.

Then I got to go home. And by home...I mean like FRIONA HOME! I was so excited. I had not seen my bestest most amazing friend in the entire world since JULY! It was about time for a visit. It always surprises me how no matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, or how long it's been since we've talked....nothing ever feels any different. I love her! I absolutely adore her. She's my person!

We got to help with a Pure Freedom retreat at the church we went to in Friona. (we both went to this retreat when we were in Jr. High!) With a group of Jr. High girls, we got to talk about the importance of purity and saving your "whole tomato" (your whole heart!) for your future husband. We even all made our "shopping list"! Everything from a heart for the Lord, mission-mindedness, and nice to his mom....all the way to dances, is adventureous, and wears cowboy boots! It was precious! This commitment to purity is something that every one there teaching is extremely passionate about. We had such a blast sharing our hearts with the girls.

One of the leaders shared "her story" and I know it's one I will not forget. She read from Genesis 24:12-21, as Abraham's servant has gone to the land of the Canaanites to find a wife for Isaac:

"Lord, God of my master Abraham," he prayed, "grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. I am standing here at the spring where the daughters of the men of the town are coming out to draw water. Let the girl to whom I say, "Please lower your water jug so that I may drink," and who responds, "Drink, and I'll water your camels also"--let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. By this I will know that You have shown kindess to my master.""Before he had finished speaking, there was Rebekah--daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor--coming with a jug on her shoulder. Now the girl was very beautiful, a young woman who had not known a man intimately. She went down to the spring, filled her jug, and came up. Then the servant ran to meet her and said, "Please let me have a little water from your jug." She replied, "Drink, my Lord." She quickly lowered her jug to her hand and gave him a drink. When she had finished giving him a drink, she siad. "I'll also draw water for your camels until they have had enough to drink." She quickly emptied her jug into the trough and hurried the well again to draw water. She drew water for all his camels while the man silently watched her to see whether or not the LORD had made his journey a success."

Molly went on to explain how much this passage meant to her, and as she spoke, it took on new meaning for me. She said that just like Abraham's servant was observing the Canaanite women to find one who would serve him, one that would be a suitable wife for Isaac, someday she too will be observed. When that day comes, she wants her future husband to see her hard at work for the Lord, serving Him and serving others. I love this....and from here forward, I'm stealing her story :) I watched Bride Wars the other day and in it someone says that "women are dead until they're wedding day." We live in a society that agrees with this, but I know that's not true. I don't want the time from now until I get married to be wasted. I want to give my life away. I want to use this time to serve God and serve others....and someday when he comes, if he comes....that's where he'll find me: serving and worshipping the One who first stole my heart.

Molly paired this passage with the song by John Waller, "While I'm Waiting". Before then, I had always thought of Fireproof when I heard this song, but in a different light, the words spoke so clearly to me on something totally different. Forget the movie, read the words, and listen for the Lord. You might be surprised what He'll say.

While I'm Waiting (by John Waller)

I'm waitingI'm waiting on You, LordAnd I am hopefulI'm waiting on You, LordThough it is painfulBut patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confidentTaking every step in obedienceWhile I'm waitingI will serve YouWhile I'm waitingI will worshipWhile I'm waitingI will not faintI'll be running the raceEven while I wait

I'm waitingI'm waiting on You, LordAnd I am peacefulI'm waiting on You, LordThough it's not easyBut faithfully, I will waitYes, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confidentTaking every step in obedienceWhile I'm waitingI will serve YouWhile I'm waitingI will worshipWhile I'm waitingI will not faintI'll be running the raceEven while I wait

I will serve You while I'm waitingI will worship while I'm waitingI will serve You while I'm waitingI will worship while I'm waitingI will serve you while I'm waitingI will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord